| |
|
NBA -- Kobe goes out with a bang, scores sweet 60
By Anthony Rozic PhilBoxing.com Fri, 15 Apr 2016

LOS ANGELES -- After 20 years in the NBA, his body aching and his once mighty skills declining, Kobe Bryant announced last November that this season would be his last.
But in his final game on Wednesday night at Staples Center, before a sold-out crowd paid an average of $700 for their seats, Kobe summoned his greatness one last time, ending his fabulous career with a 60-point performance that dazzled the Lakers faithful and the rest of the world.
Kobe, an 18-time All-Star who hung five championship banners during his remarkable reign as the face of the franchise, swished 22 of 50 field goals, 6-of-21 threes and 10 of 12 free throws. Bryant poured 23 points in a fourth quarter rampage that lifted the Lakers past the Utah Jazz, 101-96.
"I'ts hard to believe it happened this way. I'm still shocked about this," Bryant told reporters after the finale. He also addressed the fans who packed the Staples Center to bade him farewell.
"I think the most important part is that we all stayed together throughout. You'll always be in my heart and I sincerely, sincerely appreciate it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you guys," Bryant said.
Among the celebrities who witnessed "Mamba Day" included Jack Nicholson, Leonard DeCaprio, Jay Z, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Adam Levine and David Beckham. Magic Johnson started the tribute with a video montage that saw several of the NBA's biggest stars --- LeBron James, Stephen Curry, etc --- wishing Bryant well.
Bryant's fond farewell was easily the highlight of another disappointing season the Lakers finished with a poor 17-65 record and will miss the playoffs for the third year in a row, a franchise record.
The Jazz, who got 18 points from Trey Lyes 17 points from Gordon Hayward, will also miss the postseason with a 40-42. slate.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Anthony Rozic.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Additional Matchups for Saturday, February 28 Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York , Fri, 30 Jan 2026SWERVE TV STRIKES MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO EXPAND PREMIUM BOXING CONTENT , Fri, 30 Jan 2026Leuenbergers to join IRONMAN® 70.3 Davao By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026Open Workout: Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou Prepare For Saturday's Unification Showdown in Puerto Rico , Thu, 29 Jan 2026Cabrera-Zapata Kicks Off All Star Boxing's 2026 Season , Thu, 29 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: Cash prizes, FIDE rating at stakes this Sunday By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 29 Jan 2026IBP Fun Run & Family Day on February 15 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 29 Jan 2026TEOFIMO LOPEZ AND SHAKUR STEVENSON FACE-OFF AT KNICKS GAME AS COUNTDOWN TO ‘THE RING 6’ ON SATURDAY BEGINS , Wed, 28 Jan 2026Davao to sponsor P500K in IRONMAN 70.3 By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026JOSH KELLY SOUNDS WARNING TO WORLD TITLE RIVAL BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV AS HE TARGETS HISTORIC NORTH EAST HOMECOMING , Wed, 28 Jan 2026Gallegos and Alvarez Shine Bright with Knockout Wins at Fontainebleau Las Vegas , Wed, 28 Jan 2026Pedro Carrasco Remembered in Spain 25 Years After His Passing By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026Gensan Outdoor, Gensan Educator support MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit in Mt. Apo By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026Vitor vs Subkhankulov, Tapales vs Kalsynov in Double IBF Asia Title Fights in Moscow on Feb. 13 By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026“It’s about owning my own journey” Jeanine Brown retuns for Title Clash March 13 – Thunderdome 53 , Tue, 27 Jan 2026Long Boxing Journey settles in New Bedford, MA for Junior Featherweight prospect Joshua Alvarado , Tue, 27 Jan 2026Steph Curry is 19th leading scorer of the NBA By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026Ocum is WBC Asian lightweight champ By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh Believes he will stop Jarrell Miller this Saturday at Madison Square Garden , Tue, 27 Jan 2026David Ray Sarmiento finishes second place in Cologne January Blitz 2026. By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 JANUARY 2026: Raymund Muratalla Edges Andy Cruz; Walsh Outpoints Ocampo By Eric Armit, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit at Mt. Apo on February 19-22 By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026OLYMPIC BOXING 8: 1948 OLYMPICS AT LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026Golden Gloves Launches on Meta Quest Store, Establishing the First Official Esports Competition Pathway for Amateur Boxing , Mon, 26 Jan 2026Andy Cruz vs Raymond Muratalla: Who Will Execute? By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|